kelley



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

A. KELLEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SKIRT-H001?.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 20,801, dated July 6, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUsTrN KELLEY, of New York city, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Double Hoop-Skirts for Ladies; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in the arrangement of two skirts the inner skirt being adjustable for the purpose of forming a bustle when contracted and of supporting the outer skirt and garments when expanded as will be described.

In order that those skilled in the art may manufacture and use my invention I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

In the annexed figure (a a a) represent the outside hoops connected together by means of the st-rips of cloth (o o b).

(d) is a band at the top of this series of hoops. Said band goes around the waist and secures the hoops to the person of the wearer. The ends of the outer hoops (a a a) meet and are secured together by means of the elastic bands (e e e).

(c c c c) are a series of smaller hoops within the hoops (a a). Said hoops (c c o c) are adjustable like the outer hoops, and are connected to them at the points as will be seen.

(d) are strips of cloth securing the hoops (c c c) to each other. The inner hoops (c c c c) are not so numerous as the outer, and I do not contemplate at present using more than five or six although I may use any desired number. They are joined to and correspond with the first four or five outer hoops, at the top of the skirt, but do not extend entirely around the person. These inner hoops have a two fold object-Uien they are drawn in tight to fit the person, they draw the outer hoops in, in front, and make them stand out at the sides and backthus forming a bustle-but when they are slackened, and extended they allow the clothes to press out some in front and they form an additional support to the outer hoops, and do not let them give at that point where the clothes bend over and the principal heft of the clothes comes.

The principal object of this improvement is to make a light adjustable skirt which will support the clothes at that point, where they drop over the hoops and may be regulated to suit the occasion; giving the dress proper set in front at the sides and at the back and making it sustain any desired weight of garment without swaging at that point where it should be full.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is Combining and arranging two hoop skirts together in the manner herein set forth, the inner skirt being adjustable for the purpose of forming a bustle when contracted, and for an additional support to the outer skirt when expanded, as is herein fully described.

AUSTIN KELLEY.

Vitnesses:

C. M. ALEXANDER, JOHN S. HoLLiNosHEAD. 

